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Case Study 1
FOOTBALL PLAYER (Dr.N. James Bauman, Dr. Christopher M. Carr 1998) was injured by an accidental detonation of a home made bomb. After 3 months in hospital and 3 surgeries, his left hand was replaced by a prosthetic device, his right hand and left leg were surgically repaired. His goal was to return to the football team. His therapy included: physiotherapy, sports therapy, counselling, EMDR (eye movement desensitisation and reprogramming), and REST (restricted external stimulation technique)

His later results of recovery and preparation for football spring training became plateaued. The pressure to perform minimal standards of strength and endurance to play football was evident and mentally debilitating. Dry REST was introduced which catapulted him to exceed his mental blocks. After being instructed to mentally create the image of bench pressing the minimal weight required in the dry REST environment, that minimal weight lift was performed the next day. His continued sessions with REST improved his abilities and he exceeded his mental plateaus to join the team that season.

*eventually his left prosthetic hand had to be redesigned to handle the excessive weight being achieved during his weight training

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Case Study 2
RELAXATION (Dr. Gregg D. Jacobs, Dr. Robert L. Heilbronner, Dr. John M. Stanley, 1984) hypothesised greater relaxation achieved with subjects who combined relaxation techniques and REST (restricted external stimulation technique) than those who perform only relaxation techniques. Testing included: EMG, galvanic skin response, peripheral skin temperature, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and a subjective questionnaire

RESULTS: hypothesis was positive, both objective and subjective data collected concludes the enhancement of relaxation through the combination of REST and relaxation techniques.
*interesting link established with another studies (Dr. Fine, Dr. Turner 1982; Dr. Sueldeld, Dr. Roy, Dr. Landon 1982; Dr. Kristeller, Dr. Schwartz, Dr. Black, 1982; Linsley 1961)) hypothesising reductions in blood pressure with "hypertensives", which suggests a generalisation in effectiveness with REST and increasing relaxation with general populations. These later studies suggest the anatomical idea of decreasing external stimuli re-regulates the high "set-points" to a more haemostatic level via the RAS (reticular activating system - this is the brain stem filter that determines our arousal levels during certain stimulations eg. parents being able to sleep through a storm however waking from their baby whimpering)

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Case Study 3
REST EFFECTS COMBINED WITH PROGRESSIVE RELAXATION FOR CHRONIC TENSION HEADACHES (Alistair B.C. Wallbaum BA, Randy Rzewnicki BA, Dr. Howard Steele, Dr. Peter Suedfeld, 1991) briefly compared the treatment and expense of drug therapy with the "behavioural" techniques for headache reduction and the long lasting and increased affects of REST with relaxation techniques, with a 6 month follow up indicated a long lasting affect headache reduction with the subjects who were taught relaxation techniques combined with flotation

Case Study 4
HEALTH AND THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS OF CHAMBER AND FLOTATION RESTRICTED ENVIRONMENTAL THERAPY (REST) (Dr. Peter Suedfeld, Dr. Roderick A. Borrie) A very thorough review including the history and appropriate studies past by the granting agencies on REST and **an intriguing note of "side effects" which are the most significant, consistent and still scientifically unexplained effects of REST. Review includes REST studies of: medical, psychotherapeutic and behaviour health reduction applications in stress, inappropriate behaviour with certain manias, agitation, insomnia, phobias, autism, Alzheimer‚s syndromes, significant lower relapse in habitual modification interventions ( eg. alcohol intake, smoking, weight loss ), stress management and reduced headaches, chronic pain reduction, improved muscular control in cerebral palsy patients.

FLOTATION REST reviews of decreased stress hormones, increased alpha and theta brain waves, decreased blood pressure, decreased psychophysiological insomnia, increased success with biofeedback training when combined with REST, decreased fear ( eg. air plane pilots), decreased pain ( migraine headaches, rheumatoid arthritis, PMS), decrease muscle tension ( 3-12 year old cerebral palsy patients *after one 15-20 minute session, changes/improvements with posture, balance, self care, speech over 2-3 days )

* SIDE EFFECTS, " this aspect of REST usually surprises both the patient and the researcher or therapist. It is therefore unlikely to be the consequence of expectancy. The scope and frequency of such occurrences are so striking that it appears questionable to call a change in the focal behaviour (eg. smoking) the "effect" of treatment and these unexpected but sweeping changes in other behaviours a "side-effect". Rather, enhanced problem solving in a wide range of health and life areas may be the effect and the success in solving the pre-identified "problem" just one component." There are consistent patterns of positive affects with relaxation, sedation, euphoria, calmness, vigour, energy, pleasant memories and decreases in fatigue, anxiety, tension, depression, hostility, anger, confusion and unpleasant memories. 1994, Dr. Forgays and Dr. Forgays injected test subjects with a blocker (naloxone) of endogenous opioids (pleasure hormone) which eliminated the positive mood effects of their float. The "side effects" of flotation may be the key ingredient with the impact of REST on behaviour changes.

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Personal Clinical Studies in Progress

1) Sport Injury Recovery, Sport Performance Improvement, Sport Pre / Post Event Treatment / Recovery
2) Injury / Pathology Symptom Management
3) Pregnancy Symptom Management
4) Sleep Deprivation / Pathologies
5) REST Enhancement With Music / Super Learning / Meditation Teaching

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